Just plant the seed

I should perhaps clarify where I stand. I don’t care for the term contextualization, nor the word indigenization that went before it (even though it has only six and not seven syllables). I do, however, agree with the approach, in as much as I understand it.

When you want to pass the good news of Jesus Christ on to those of another culture, first strip your presentation, as much as possible, of those trappings unique to you- robed choirs, organs, liturgy, ecclesiastical hierarchy, white wedding gowns, Christmas traditions, the cult of the individual, whatever, and pass the news on in seed form. Once planted it can spring up in new soil, rooted in Christ but leafed out in new foliage, addressing felt needs in appropriate ways.

My personal opinion is that a good way to communicate such a divested gospel is through developing accurate, natural, translations of the Word of God in each language. People died to translate the Bible into English- a gift past valuation to me, one I feel obligated to pass on. Bible Translation is often a partnership between two cultures, with those who already fortunate enough to have a translation helping others still waiting. When the work is done, that outsider who has contributed skills or technologies to the process, then steps back and says, “This is the gift of God for the people of God. May his Spirit lead you also, in its application within your culture.”